Virginia Beach’s dining scene is as fluid as its tides. Fishermen unload just-caught tuna before dawn, cocktail bars plan new riffs on the classic sea breeze by dusk, and chefs range from proud Tidewater traditionalists to food activists and Asian-fusion risk-takers.
Oceanfront crowds, surf bums, and Navy brass mingle with locals whose families have worked the water for generations.
Above it all: the friendly, social energy of a true beach town, where food is as much about joy as sustenance.
1. Tautog’s Restaurant
Step inside Tautog’s—set in a converted 1920s beach house steps from the boardwalk—and you’ll feel the city’s salt air legacy.
Nautical art, goldfish in old hurricane lamps, and the sound of waves just beyond the porch.
The menu is a “greatest hits” of the Atlantic: she-crab soup, sweet and delicate deviled crab, blackened Mahi-Mahi with pineapple salsa, and the city’s choicest lump crab cakes (barely enough to hold together between the fork).
The staff delight in storytelling—pointing out the house’s original woodwork, introducing their favorite hometown fishermen, and always, always recommending the day’s pie (“Look out for the coconut cream!”).
Whether you’re in for lunch with sandy toes or celebrating an engagement, Tautog’s makes everyone feel like a local.
2. Doc Taylor’s
Doc Taylor’s is Virginia Beach’s definitive breakfast hangout—housed in a repurposed doctor’s office.
Laughter rolls out from the wraparound porch as mimosas arrive in sturdy pint glasses.
The biscuits and sausage gravy, chicken and waffles, blueberry pancakes, and signature home fries have both hangover cures and family breakfast covered.
The “prescriptions” on the chalkboard are always changing, and the servers offer stories about locals, boardwalk drama, and the house cat’s latest antics. By noon, it’s as much a club as a café.
3. Blue Seafood & Spirits
A one-of-a-kind, chef-owned gem, Blue is a must-visit for anyone serious about seafood.
The menu varies with the boat: plump scallops pan-seared and perfumed with lemon, crab-studded macaroni, softshell crabs when in season, and blackened swordfish just spicy enough.
The setting is intimate but welcoming, and every plate looks like an edible artwork. Reservations are essential; word has spread far beyond the city limits.
4. Terrapin Restaurant
The city’s high-style special-occasion dining room, Terrapin is all about understated elegance: white tablecloths, curated Virginia wines, and open-kitchen drama.
Chefs craft seasonal menus from the region’s best—spring lamb, Chesapeake rockfish, oysters, and heirloom vegetables from small local farms.
Each visit is different, and the kitchen’s talent makes even an ordinary weeknight meal feel like a milestone.
5. Repeal Bourbon & Burgers
Part speakeasy, part burger temple, Repeal is an after-dark destination for the city’s creative class.
Over 100 kinds of bourbon and rye, inventive cocktails (including bacon-infused old fashioneds), and burgers stacked with everything from blue cheese and caramelized onions to green chili and house hot sauce.
Servers slide pimento tots and loaded fries to tight-knit friend groups, while the sound of jazz and blues spills onto the street.
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